Lots of things have been going on. Two new books have been released. ‘The Golden Disc of the Mayans’ came out in KINDLE and paperback versions on Aug. 13, 2025. It’s the third book in the Lizard Key Series following the adventures of the modern-day pirate, Nick Roberts. And now, the second book in the Victor Grant, Private Detective series, ‘DRAGON EYES’ was released on Oct. 28 in both KINDLE and paperback versions. All books are available through AMAZON BOOKS. Just type in my name and they should all come up.
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The Gold Disc Of The Mayans
In 1542 Spanish conquistadors led by El Mozo began their final conquest of the Mayans in the Yucatan area of what is now Mexico. The Mayan king knew the end was near and gave his son the assignment to hide their most sacred object before it would fall into the hands of the Spanish. The object was a golden disc with a pure quartz stone in the middle and was said to be a gift from the Gods. The disc was kept in a box made of jade and the young prince was instructed to hide in a place where it could not be found. It should remain hidden until such time when the Mayans could rise up again against their Spanish oppressors.
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News from Lizard Key Books
Summer 2025
I haven’t posted any news for some time, so here it goes. Two books have come out so far in 2025, ‘Ride into Hell’ and ‘Brimley, TX- Lies, Lust, Corruption, Murder’. Both books are part of the ‘Texas Jack’ western series.
In other book news, the third book in the ‘Lizard Key’ series, ‘The Golden Disc of the Mayans’ is completed and will be available soon. This is the third book following the adventures of the modern-day pirate, Nick Roberts. The second book in that series, ‘Black Bart’s Treasure’ is now back and available on Amazon as a second edition with a new cover. Originally, the book was self-published before it was picked up by a publisher. I went through it and made some corrections/changes, a new cover was produced, and the book is now released.
Continue reading News from Lizard Key BooksNews from Lizard Key Books
October 2023
My newest book has just been released. ‘Showdown at Cedar Gulch’ is the newest and number eight in the ‘Texas Jack’ series. Also, the second edition of ‘Lizard Key’ has also recently been released.
I’ve been gathering research material for a new western book which will not be a ‘Texas Jack’ western. It will follow the life of a young man captured by Indians, his life with them, his escape and his adventures as he moves through the wild west. No title yet, but I’ll be working on it over the winter and hope it’s ready by spring.
The third book following Nick Roberts and his modern-day pirates on Lizard Key is in the final processes of re-write… again, no final title on it yet. This story will definitely be done by Spring. So, over the winter I’ll be working on a western and a pirate book when I’m not playing golf, diving or fishing.
My good friend, Bart Buchanan, just released his first book, ‘Black Coffee Pork Sausage and a Homicide’. It’s available on Amazon. I know he’s put a great deal of effort into it, and we’ve talked several times as he navigated the process. Check it out.
Lizard Key
What do the following have in common?
A teenaged smuggler of Mayan artifacts, a Nazi Admiral fleeing Germany at the end of World War II, stolen gold, a lost submarine, a beautiful woman seeking revenge, a corrupt United States Senator, a Neo Nazi terrorist publisher, a Voodoo priestess, and a modern-day pirate.
The answer is Lizard Key!
Continue reading Lizard KeyDrinks to read (and write) by
When I sit and write it’s always important to stay well hydrated and have a good cigar. My favorite cigar is the Arturo Fuentes Hemingway Signature and as far as drinks go… anything with rum or Jack Daniels will do! Sometimes when people come over and get to experimenting with concoctions at my bar we come up with some tasty drinks. Here’s a few to try out.
Cherry Popper
2 oz. Jack Daniels
4 oz. Pepsi (use the Pepsi made with REAL sugar)
Splash of Grenadine
One cherry
Serve over ice
Mix the Jack and Coke over ice, add a splash of grenadine and a cherry. Done!
The Catalina Cocktail
I was shopping at my local Safeway/Vons store and saw a product in the juice section. It was a mix of Orange, Peach and Mango. I looked at that container and it seemed to just cry out, “ADD RUM!” So I bought it and brought it home. It can make this quick tropical drink and is named for Catalina Island where I spend a great deal of time.
4 oz. Rum
4 oz. Orange, Peach & Mango Juice
Lime wedge
Get a glass of any size… preferably large (at least 12 oz.) and fill it with ice. Fill it half way with rum and the other half juice. Mix and garnish with a lime wedge.
* I always use dark rum, usually Cruzan, Meyers, or Plantation. If you like the spiced rums then it’s Sailor Jerry or Kraken… and if you want, you can always add a float of Bacardi 151.
This juice makes a great smoothie as well… which you can also add rum to.
1 ½ cups of juice
1 cup frozen mango
1 cup frozen Non Fat Vanilla Yogurt
Rum (optional)
Blend in the blender until frothy… add rum to taste!
Lizard Key Mojito
The Pirate Mojito
When I wrote Lizard Key I wanted to give the pirate, Nick Roberts, a signature drink. Just as James Bond has his vodka martini ‘shaken, not stirred’ Nick Roberts has his mojito, ‘dark rum, not too sweet’… sort of like a pirate’s soul.
2 oz. DARK rum (Gosling’s Black Rum or a dark rum of your choice)
Two mint sprigs
Juice of ½ a fresh lime
½ oz. sugar cane syrup… remember, not too sweet.
Club soda
Place the mint, lime juice and cane syrup in a 12 oz. tumbler (make sure it’s a sturdy glass!) Gently muddle the mix with a wooden muddler… not too hard, you don’t want to shred the leaves just bruise them to release the essential oils. Add some ice and rum, briefly shake and top it off with the club soda. Add mint leave or lime wedge as a garnish.
Cocktail Books
One of my friends in Key West is Bahama Bob Leonard. As it turned out Bob and I went to rival High Schools across town from each other in California and at one time were both SCCA racecar drivers. Bob has written two books which I consider the definitive works on cocktails… especially tropical cocktails; Cocktails and Tales and Cocktails and Tales Too. Great receipts and great history stories. If you’re ever in Key West stop in at the Rum Bar on Duval Street and have him mix you a drink or check him out at BahamaBobLeonard.com.